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causing the Nyabira accident that killed seven soldiers and a three-year-old girl on Monday evening.
Police have launched investigations that are linking Mr Tanyanyiwa’s actions to the cause of the accident.
Mr Tanyanyiwa was travelling with an unidentified passenger in a black Toyota Landcruiser V8 SUV that was involved in a head-on collision with an army pickup truck along the Harare-Chirundu Highway.
National police spokesperson superintendent Andrew Phiri yesterday said: “He (Mr Tanyanyiwa) is facing eight counts of culpable homicide and will appear in court in due course.”
Police sources yesterday said although Mr Tanyanyiwa was to be charged with culpable homicide, the case had some “loopholes”.
“At the moment it is difficult to conclude the matter since the driver of the other vehicle died in the accident. However, investigations are still underway,” said one of the sources.
Meanwhile, the eight accident victims have been identified as seven soldiers and a three-year-old girl.
By yesterday, the death toll had increased to eight from seven as one more person who was admitted to hospital died from injuries sustained in the accident.
The accident occurred near the 31km peg in Nyabira area, along the Harare-Chirundu Highway.
In a statement yesterday, army public relations director Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore said the deceased were Captain Geoffrey Mlambo, Warrant Officer Class Two Mavis Chanetsa, Staff Sergeant Dzawanda Mudzimba, Sgt Simbarashe Farahini and Sgt Wellington Terera.
The others are Corporal Bongani Patana, Corporal Lawrence Tawanda Manhango and Sgt Farahini’s three-year-old daughter, Levine Tsitsi.
“The injured are hospitalised at Parirenyatwa Hospital with three of them in critical condition,” he said.
Lt Col Makotore said in his condolence message to the bereaved families, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda said the army was deeply saddened by the untimely and tragic loss of their members.
“He also wished those admitted in hospital, a speedy recovery,” he said.
According to police, Mr Tanyanyiwa and his passenger were treated and discharged.
The other eight injured in the same accident are still admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Police yesterday said the army truck was travelling from Inkomo Barracks, heading towards the city while the Toyota Landcruiser was moving in the opposite direction.
By yesterday, 87 people had been killed while another 598 were injured in 533 accidents recorded during the Easter Holidays making it the blooodiest Easter break in recent memory.
Harare recorded the highest number of deaths with 19, followed by Mashonaland West with 18 while the province with the least deaths was Matabeleland North with one.
The accidents have been attributed mainly to speeding and misjudgment.
Police impounded 673 unroadworthy vehicles and issued 41 995 tickets while 45 drivers were arrested for drunken driving. Forty-four people perished on the roads during the four-day holiday last year.
Online Reporter